Jamie Beck has been a fan of romance since the tender age of five. She graduated from Tulane University with a joint law/M.B.A. degree and practiced commercial real estate and lending law for over a decade while living in Pittsburgh, her hometown. She currently resides in Connecticut with her husband and their two children. She is an avid reader and author of contemporary romance.
1. I’ve read In the Cards and Worth the Wait, and in both novels a majority of the story takes place away from where either one or both main characters live. Is this a coincidence or a usual pattern you follow?
I don’t think I’ve published enough books to establish any kind of pattern yet, but this situation is pure coincidence. With In the Cards, it made sense for Lindsey to “run away” in order to put distance between herself and her old life while she sorted through her feelings. In Worth the Wait, the beach house is not where any of the characters live on a permanent basis, but it is a familiar family home where they had all spent time together over the years. In that way, it is quite different from Levi and Lindsey’s “remote” location.
2. What is your favorite subgenre for romance?
My favorite subgenre to read is definitely historical romance. If you look at my Goodreads shelf, I’d bet seventy-five percent of the books I’ve read are historicals. I love the idea of being whisked off to another time period. I also love the themes of honor and duty, and the idea of restraint in love so prevalent in those stories. It’s a nice contrast to contemporary life, where so much emphasis seems to be placed on sex appeal.
3. Do you plan to write any historical novels?
No. As much as I love to read them, I do not wish to do the research necessary to write one well. There is so much to learn about the various time periods, from the nobility to the clothing to the political climate of whichever time (Georgian, Regency, Victorian, etc.). And I think it must be quite a struggle to write the dialogue well– to strike the right blend of historical terms and syntax while keeping it ‘readable’ for today’s reader.
4. I personally love series. They give me a chance to hold on to my favorite characters a little longer and to see their progress, as well as find new characters to love. However, I can still appreciate a good stand-alone. Do you have any plans to write some stand-alones?
In the Cards is a stand-alone. However, like you, many readers love series for the very reasons you describe. My writing schedule is quite full now with two series to complete, so I have no plans to write a stand-alone in the near future. But it’s always possible down the road!
5. I know you were a lawyer. Since you know so much about the profession, have you considered using it as the profession of one of your main characters?
David (Worth the Wait) is a mergers and acquisitions lawyer, which is somewhat related to the type of law I used to practice (insofar as it is transactional in nature rather than litigation-based). However, I doubt I would write a story in which the main character is a lawyer and his or her legal profession is integral to the main plot. After ten years of practice, I’m happy to leave the law behind me!
6. What are your thoughts on having your novels turned into movies? I know this could be lucrative, but I, as a reader, fear that I could end up disappointed if the actors/actresses don’t look like or come across how I picture/perceive them when I’m reading. This would totally ruin the rereads – which I often do. Do you have any concerns about this as an author?
It is highly unlikely I would ever be so fortunate as to be offered a movie deal. I suppose, if it happened, I’d need to evaluate it carefully. I’m a bit of a control freak, so it could be quite difficult to watch actors interpret my work. Honestly, I’ve never even listened to the audio versions of my books for that very reason. Then again, I’ve loved the film adaptations of Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility!
7. Do you read while you’re in the middle of writing your own novels?
I’m always writing or editing, so yes, I do read while working. I find, however, that I read in fits and starts. I may whip through three books in one week, but then not pick another up for three weeks! It really depends on my work and my family’s schedule. As a mother of two middle-schoolers, I’m pretty wiped out at night.
8. What are you reading right now?
I just today finished my first Jennifer McQuiston book (What Happens in Scotland). I suppose tonight I’ll search for a new book. I can tell you I’m eagerly awaiting Lisa Kleypas’s Brown Eyed Girl (releasing in August, part of her Travis family series). I’d also like to read one or two non-romances this summer, like Girl on a Train.
9. What are your working on right now?
I just turned in the second books of the St. James series and completed the second Sterling Canyon manuscript this week. I’ll be getting editorial feedback soon, which will probably eat up much of my writing time in July. Yesterday, however, I wrote the first scene of Jackson’s book (Worth the Risk, Book 3 in the St. James series). I love him, so his book could very well write itself.
10. How do you decide your settings? Are they usually places you’ve actually visited, or are they mostly described from research?
So far, every setting I’ve written has been someplace familiar to me. I lived in California one summer during law school, and I have a good friend whose Block Island vacation home is the inspiration for the St. James house. I live in Southwest Connecticut and spend time in New York City, too, which makes me comfortable writing about them. I’ve still done some research (to brush up on old knowledge, or to expand upon my own experience), though. And in my upcoming release (Accidentally Hers, October 6th), I’ve created a fictional resort town in Colorado, but it is loosely based on Telluride–a truly gorgeous area.
I’d like to thank Jamie for taking the time to share this information with me, so I can share it with you all. I’ve quickly become a big fan, and I can’t wait to read more of the St. James series, as well as start the Sterling Canyon series. I highly recommend everyone to read both of these novels. You may preorder a copy of Accidentally Hers (the first in the Sterling Canyon series) here.
Also, you may check out Jamie’s blog here.
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